There will be times in life when you feel like you’re in a rut. It may feel like nothing is changing and you’re stuck in the mud. When life throws these times at you, you don’t have to just sit back and take it. There are things you can do to propel yourself forward or make yourself feel better. If you don’t act when you need to, you risk the feelings of resentment or depression. You are in control of the choices you make, so here are some tips for getting yourself out of your rut.

Start Small

If you’re in a rut because you’re faced with problems, it can feel overwhelming. It can feel like you’re surrounded by things you have no control over. Take a step back and evaluate the problems you’re facing. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Start slowly and handle each problem one at a time. If you can’t solve a problem straight away, don’t just ignore it. Acknowledge it and spend some time thinking about solutions. For example, if you’re in debt and you receive a letter threatening further action, contact the person or company you owe money to and explain your situation. More often than not, they’ll help you to come up with a solution.

Help Others

When you’re in a rut, one of the best ways to help yourself is to help others. It can change your perspective on life dramatically when you see someone dealing with problems much bigger than your own. You could do anything, from helping out family members to raising money for charity or doing volunteer work. Acharity drive is a great example of how to raise money and you’ll get some time to reflect on life and what you may want to change.

Take a Break

Sometimes, to get out of a rut, all you need to do is take a break. Maybe you’re in a rut at work and you need to step away from the computer. Or, perhaps you’ve been in a rut for a while and need a long vacation. However, you’re feeling, taking a break from the day-to-day grind will help you to relax and lose the rut. Go somewhere you’ve never been before and do something you’ve never done. If you do, you may just find the inspiration you’re looking for.

Talk it Out

A problem shared, is a problem halved. If you keep how you’re feeling bottled up, it’s likely to take longer to get resolved.Talking to a friend about how you feel is always a good idea. Many people don’t realize they’re not alone in how they’re feeling. Once you know that someone else has been through the same thing, a weight will be lifted. Suddenly you’re not the only one to have gone through the struggle and you may even get suggestions on how to move forward. If nothing else, getting it off your chest will help you to breathe again.

Be Creative

When we’re stuck in a rut, the world can turn to gray. It’s difficult to motivate yourself or feel enthusiastic about anything. Creativity can go a long way to solving that. Get yourself a blank canvas and create a masterpiece with tons of color. Knit yourself a scarf. Start writing a novel. Do whatever you can to inspire yourself. You may be surprised at where your creativity leads you. You may just need a change in your mood, or you may decide you need a completely new career. The sky’s the limit.

Exercise

What does exercise have to do with getting out of a rut? Well, an improved mood can help you to look at things differently, feel differently and inspire you.Exercise releases endorphins that not only improve our moods but help us to stay alert and focused. Joining an exercise class or going for a run could help you to get out of your run by repositioning your focus and helping you to meet new people who may open new doors for you.

Competition

Imagine you’re in a relationship rut but another woman expresses her interest in your man. How would that make you feel? A healthy dose of competition can help us to re-evaluate what we’ve got. If you have to compete, you’re unlikely to be disappointed in the things you already have. Competition can also spur you on to achieve your goals, instead of using fear as an excuse to not go for what you want.